Abstract: A power conversion apparatus for converting power from an alternating source to dc includes an input stage for receiving power from the alternating source, which includes an input filter, a rectifier for rectifying the alternating signal, a capacitor for storing energy from the rectified signal, and an output for outputting power from the rectifying means and the capacitor to the pulsed load. The pulsed load has at least one switched winding which receives power from the output, and wherein the capacitor is configured such that the voltage across the capacitor falls below 15% of the nominal peak rectified voltage of the source during each cycle of the alternating source. A converter of this kind provides benefits in that the current drawn from the ac supply falls within limits imposed by regulations and is simpler and cheaper than known converters of a similar power rating.

Abstract: A heat switch for remote self-contained gas chromatography is disclosed. The device mechanically separates a hot or cold reservoir from the chromatography column when heating or cooling is not needed. The column needs a cooling system to obtain initial temperatures below ambient. At other times the column needs to be heated to relatively high temperatures, during which time the cooling system is preferably detached. The heat switch allows for rapid temperature changes while minimizing the peak cooling power requirement.

Abstract: The operation, analysis and interpretation of a chromatographic system can be significantly enhanced by coupling therewith one or more fluid property measurements that provides an initial indication of the fluid type, the presence of any contamination, an estimate of the hydrocarbon composition (C1, C2-C5 and C6+), gas/oil ratio, color and/or fluorescence measurements. Other measurements that can be used in the initial stage can include density, viscosity, phase transition determinations. These measurements may be used to enhance, in real-time, the GC sampling protocol, the analysis protocol and also improve the robustness of the interpretation of the chromatogram.

Abstract: A self-contained micro-scale gas chromatography system that includes a plurality of gas chromatography components arranged on a micro-fluidic platform with nearly zero dead volume “tubeless” fluidic connections for the gas chromatography components. The micro-fluidic platform includes a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid flow paths for a sample, carrier gas and waste gas through and among the micro-fluidic platform and the plurality of gas chromatography components. The system may also include an on-board supply of carrier gas and on-board waste management, as well as a thermal management scheme making the system suitable for use in oil and gas wells and also other remote environments.

Abstract: A self-contained micro-scale gas chromatography system that includes a plurality of gas chromatography components arranged on a micro-fluidic platform with nearly zero dead volume “tubeless” fluidic connections for the gas chromatography components. The micro-fluidic platform includes a plurality of flow channels that provide fluid flow paths for a sample, carrier gas and waste gas through and among the micro-fluidic platform and the plurality of gas chromatography components. The gas chromatography components may include a micro-scale gas chromatography column that is implemented as a MEMS device and includes embedded heating and cooling elements. The system may also include an on-board supply of carrier gas and on-board waste management, as well as a thermal management scheme making the system suitable for use in oil and gas wells and also other remote environments.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna arrangement for use in an ultra-wideband network, the antenna arrangement comprising a plurality of active elements for emitting radio signals; and a reflecting structure disposed between at least two of the active elements for reflecting radio signals, the reflecting structure comprising an outer reflecting surface for reflecting radio signals in a first frequency range within a frequency band and an inner reflecting surface for reflecting radio signals having a second frequency range within the frequency band. In an alternative embodiment, the antenna arrangement comprises an active element for emitting radio signals, and a reflecting structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a liquidity-based commodity index in which historical liquidity-related data for a commodity is used to determine whether to include a commodity in an index and also used to weight commodities in the index. Liquidity of a commodity is calculated based on an average daily dollar value of contracts traded for the commodity. The commodity liquidity is compared to a liquidity threshold to determine that the commodity should be included in the index. A liquidity factor is calculated for each commodity included in the index and is also used to weight the commodity in the index.

Abstract: There is provided an antenna for use in an ultra-wideband device, wherein the antenna is used as an RF radiator and as a heat sink. There is also provided a device for use in an ultra wideband network, the device comprising a component, for example an integrated circuit package, that generates unwanted heat as part of its normal operation, the device further comprising an antenna as described above placed in thermal contact with the component. The antenna may be electrically connected to one or more pins of the component. Alternatively, the antenna may be capacitively connected to the component. There is also provided a heat sink for a wireless communications device, the heat sink being shaped such that it can operate as an antenna for radio frequencies.

Abstract: A method for treating diabetes in a mammalian subject in need of same wherein the method comprises: administering to the mammalian subject an agent capable of modulating a ganglioside GM-1 (GM-1) associated activity in an amount effect to treat the disease; wherein the agent, when in vivo, has an effect on GM-1 mediated intracellular signalling events; and wherein if the agent is for co-administration with an antigen, then the agent and the antigen are not so linked to form a single active agent.

Abstract: Data from a plurality of sensors representing a patient's condition, including measurement signals and also secondary parameters derived from the measurement signals, are displayed in a simple way by calculating a novelty index constituting a one-dimensional visualization space. The novelty index is based on the distance of the current data point in a multi-dimensional measurement space, whose coordinates are defined by the values of the measurement signals and secondary parameters, from a predefined normal point. This may be achieved by using a suitably trained artificial neural network to sum the distance between the current data point in the measurement space and a plurality of prototype points representing normality.

Abstract: A network management apparatus and method for identifying an event which is indicative of the underlying cause of more than one of a plurality of events detected by a network management station on a network is described in which the management station has knowledge of the topology of the network. Using the topology of the network, the apparatus and method considers the location of the network device causing each event in the plurality of events, and determines as the causal event, the event which has occurred at a location closest to the network management station. The method is preferably implemented in the form of a computer program.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and programs disclosed herein provide a solution for monitoring and tracking assets by utilizing wireless communications. A representative system for monitoring assets includes a remote monitoring station (RMS) and a network of identification (ID) tags. Each ID tag is coupled to an asset and is configured to wirelessly communicate with other ID tags in the network within a predetermined proximity. Each tag is also configured to relay communications from other ID tags so that a communication path is established between the RMS and any ID tag in the network, either directly or via other ID tags.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for a business to securely distribute potentially large collections of document folders (180) to recipients (140). The system comprises a sending device (160) for sending the document folders (180) and temporarily storing the document folders (180) on a network (120) of interconnected computers (170), a destination computer (170) for accumulating the sent document folders (180) destined for a particular recipient (140), and a receiving device (130) for receiving the accumulated document folders (180) from the destination device (170).

Abstract: The invention provides drying apparatus including a first chamber for receiving articles to be dried and having an outlet, a second chamber having an outlet, and a fan having a fan inlet and a fan outlet, the fan inlet communicating with the outlet of the first chamber and the fan outlet communicating with the second chamber. The apparatus further includes a vacuum pump communicating with the outlet of the second chamber so that transfer of thermal energy can take place between the first and second chambers. The invention also provides a method of drying including placing articles into a first chamber, evacuating a significant proportion of the air from the first chamber and from a second chamber, evacuating water vapor from the first chamber to the second chamber, allowing the water vapor to condense in the second chamber, and transferring thermal energy from the second chamber to the first chamber.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the fouling of a substrate in a marine fouling environment, which comprises forming on the substrate, before exposure to the said environment, a coating comprising a curable fluorinated resin of the general formula: W-L-YFC—O—Rf—CFY-L-W wherein: W is a group of the general formula —Si(R1)?(OR2)3-?, wherein ?=0, 1, or 2, preferably ?=0, R1 and R2 independently have the meaning of linear of branched C1-C6 alkyl groups, optionally containing one or more ether groups, or C7-C12 aryl or alkyl groups, and preferably R1 and R2 are C1-C4 alkyl groups; L is an organic linking group; Y is F or CF3; and Rf is a group having an average molecular weight by number between 350 and 8000, preferably between 500 and 3000, and comprising repeating units having at least one of the following structures randomly distributed along the chain: —CFXO—, CF2CF2O—, CF2CF2CF2O—, CF2CF2CF2CF2O—, CR4R5CF2CF2O—, —(CF(CF3)CF2O)—, —CF2CF(CF3)O—, wherein X is F or CF3, R4 and R5 independently have the meaning of H, Cl,

Abstract: An MR coil array made of a plurality of circuits having a conductive trace mounted on a substrate, each of the circuits adapted to generate a signal; and means in each substrate for attaching and aligning at least two of the circuits to one another. Preferably the means for attaching and aligning the circuits are holes or openings formed in the substrates, designed to mate with corresponding holes or openings in the other substrates. In a preferred embodiment, the coil array also includes means disposed on each of the circuits for pre-amplifying the signal.

Abstract: A clamp for preventing theft of a motor cycle, by disabling operation of a handlebar brake lever comprises: a pair of jaws connected together at a pivot so as to be movable between an open and a closed condition, the jaws providing when in the closed condition, first and second substantially parallel apertures and through the clamp, the first aperture being shaped to receive a handlebar handgrip portion therethrough, and the second aperture being formed in a movable member and positioned so as to receive a brake or clutch lever operably mounted on the handlebar. The clamp also has a locking device for enabling the jaws to be locked in the closed condition. The movable member is locked at optional positions when the jaws are in the closed condition, by a pair of ribs which engage into a series of transverse grooves formed in the jaw along the length thereof.

Abstract: A system for acquiring, and displaying, data such as physiological data, from a plurality of data connection devices, each of which monitor one or more different parameters and output data at different sampling frequencies based on their own system clocks. The system receives the data signals at different sampling frequencies and associates each sample of each signal with a time stamp derived from a single master clock. Low rate and high rate data are treated differently. Low rate data is associated with the current value of the master clock, where as high rate data is time stamped by giving the first sample a time stamp equal to the current value of the current master clock, subsequent samples being given an estimated time stamp based on the expected interval between samples derived from the sampling frequency of the data collection device, and the timescale given to the first example.

Abstract: A vehicle for traversing a surface such as for carrying out an inspection, survey or maintenance operation upon that surface comprises two bodies interconnected by means to move the bodies towards and away from each other, each of those bodies being supported upon a multiplicity of resilient bristles (13; 25; 32) extending from it, the bristles of each body being mounted in groups upon bristle-carrying members (10; 23; 31) each guided for movement towards and away from the body, and fluid pressure means (25; 22; 34) to effect the guided movement of the bristle-carrying members in at least one of those directions.

Abstract: A vehicle (1) for travelling along a conduit (2) having fluid flowing therein is described. The vehicle comprises a forward set of resilient bristles (12) and a rear set of bristles (18) which are adapted to move towards and away from the forward bristles (12). The forward bristles (12) engage the surface of the conduit (2) and apply a greater gripping force when they are moving towards the mar bristles (18) than when they are moving away from the rear bristles (18). Similarly, the rear bristles (18) apply a larger gripping force to the surface of the conduit (2) when they are moving away from the forward bristles (12) than when they are moving towards the forward bristles (12).